Per updates to ICANN’s Transfer Policy, Name.com will be altering the process in which registrants change their domain contact details as of Dec. 1, 2016. The new policy is designed to add a series of approval and confirmation emails, as well as a 60-day transfer lock, to a domain when its contact details (including first name, last name, email address, or organization) are changed.
Why a transfer lock is important
ICANN created this policy in the hopes of preventing domain hijacking. When a domain is stolen from an account, a common technique for getting away with the crime is to transfer the domain multiple times across multiple registrars. By introducing a 60-day lock, it makes it much more difficult for domain hijackers to steal domains from accounts.
Name.com is dedicated to striving to provide the highest level of online security while still making it easy for users to manage their domains. That’s why we’ve created a transfer lock process with the following in mind:
- Compliance with ICANN’s policies
- Dedication to keeping our users’ accounts safe
- Minimizing negative impact on user experience
Where you’ll be affected by the contact change transfer lock
If you are changing the contact details on a domain
Your account currently defaults to keeping the 60-day transfer lock in place when you make changes to your contact details. If you would like to automatically opt-out of the transfer lock, you can make the change by visiting your Account Settings. Aside from the lock, the updated ICANN policy does not change the process of altering your domain details.
If you are transferring or receiving a domain
Both parties involved in the transfer will need to work together to determine if opting out of the 60-day lock is best for their agreement. If so, you can opt-out by doing the following.
If you are the transferer
If you are the one initiating the transfer, communicate with the receiving party ahead of time to determine whether they will need to transfer the domain to a different registrar right away, or if it’s ok for them to have the 60-day lock in place. Based on what you and the domain receiver are comfortable with, you can decide to keep or waive the domain lock.
If you are the transferee
If you are on the receiving end of the transfer, you will not have the option to decide if the transfer lock period should be kept or waived. You’ll need to communicate with the person initiating the transfer to let them know if you would like to opt-out of the transfer lock.
Because this is an ICANN policy, and not Name.com’s, we are unfortunately unable to help you if you want to transfer your domain while a 60-day lock is in place. That’s why it is essential to be proactive and discuss your preferences with the prior registrant ahead of time.
